1991 325iC - Rear Cover Questions

[Das Delfin]

^ just fyi, changing these shocks is a major bitch. Getting them out is okay but to get them back in there's a little metal clip you have to feed through at just the right angle, making sure it doesn't fling off into oblivion all the while doing this through the cage that makes up the arms of the folding top. It takes some patience and needle nose and I don't recommend doing it at night :up:

[Semblance]

I assume it's easier to do it with the top off the car right? I have to do that anyway to fix a bolt that sheared off. Thanks for the tip!

[mikerob97]

Poor OP, sorry for jacking the thread. We need a vert sub forum.

No worries about hijacking the thread - all great info for me (and others). A Cabriolet sub forum would be nice - I have many other questions specific to the Cab.

Thanks again everyone

[rcsoundn1]

Still in for where these shocks were found for $5

[JWHIII]

My vert was converted from power to manual top as well. I had a guy on here who was parting out a vert cut out the entire hinge section along with shock mounts and send them to me. My question now is once i cut the brackets loose how should i go about attaching them to my car? Originally they were spot welded but that's not an option for me. I had planned on just bolting them but wondering if anyone on here has a better idea. Here's a pic of the hinge setup i purchased. Unfortunately the shocks are shot so if anyone can point me in the direction of less expensive replacements I'd greatly appreciate it.

[rcsoundn1]

Not sure if JB weld would work. They have pressure on them, not sure how much. I think I read that some have used screws/bolts as another option.

[fuzzysux]

if you can find these brackets from a parts car, you should just drill out the plug welds. if you can weld, spot weld them back in. otherwise, i think that rivets would be an acceptable option.

you should not be taking the top off to replace those back "struts" or "shocks." simply fold the back section of the top UP. if you don't have a second set of hands available, cut a piece of wood so that it holds the top out of your way. or somehow tie it up to rafters in the garage.

while not struggling with keeping the top on your shoulder, it is much easier to fit/replace those struts. they are simple E-clips so they will fly off - cup with your hand or hold a finger on it when removing. installation is very quick.

[fuzzysux]

one piece that is often missed in the electronic to manual conversion is the cable mechanism which does not allow the trunk to make contact with the tonneau cover. this isn't horribly necessary.. but be careful because they can occupy the same space and chip your paint.

[JWHIII]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll probably go with rivets and see how that works. I mainly leave the top down all summer (driving my saloon on rainy days) then switch over to the hardtop for the winter so I really don't do a lot of top raising and lowering. Hence the fact I've been so lackadaisical about mounting the shocks and brackets.

[Das Delfin]

I'll never understand why shocks cost as much as they do. The ones I used for the tonnoweaux cover were like 30/ea

+1 on rivets or bolts and lock nuts with possibly rubber and metal washers. Depends how much room you have.

[mikerob97]

I have a new set of lower mounts

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll probably go with rivets and see how that works. I mainly leave the top down all summer (driving my saloon on rainy days) then switch over to the hardtop for the winter so I really don't do a lot of top raising and lowering. Hence the fact I've been so lackadaisical about mounting the shocks and brackets.

I have a brand new set of the lower mounts that I will sell. I obtained these a while ago when cleaning up a power to manual conversion done by the PO. Then realized that my car already had them installed. Make me a reasonable offer and they are yours. Shipping should only be about $5 since they will fit in a USPS small flat rate box.

[JWHIII]

mikerob97, I appreciate it but I've already got everything I need. Just need to order new shocks. There's probably someone else on here who could use them though.

[Das Delfin]

I just noticed, if you look at the pics of how they are mounted to my car on the first page (the gray car) it's with four nuts/bolts straight through. And mine is an early model, before they came out with the power top option, so you know it's an original design

[87cabrio89is]

FWIIW, the cable doesn't prevent the trunk from opening, but rather, it prevents the trunk lid and tonneau cover from contacting each other when both are opened or some degree. If you trunk can contact your tonneau lid, then yours needs to be adjusted.

[Prost]

Anyone successfully mount the shocks as retrofit? Welding or screw?